Automobile-headlight dimmer.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- FREDERICK H. MIGHELSON, F DENVER, COLORADO.

UTOMOBILE-HEADLIGHT DIM MEB.

1,222,01 3. silecifieatien of wars rami- Patented Apr. 10, 1917.Application filed September 7, 1915. Serial No, 49,146. i

To all whom. it may concern: a collapsed position, thereby permittingthe lie it known that I, l nnnniucn H. hhnnn elertrie light rays to bereflected by means sex, a eitizenof the-United States, residing oftl1e11efle(ton.-- V i at Denver. in the county of Denver and Fig. 3, isa detail showing the collar sup- State' of Colorado, have invented a newand port spann ng the central openingof the so useful Automobile-llwadlight Dimmer, of base. which the following is a specification in suchFig. 4, is aside elevation of the collar supclear terms as will enablethose skilled in port and the dimmer supporting coiled the art to whichthe invention appertains springdiolder. 33 to eonstriwt and use.thesame. Fig. 5, is a modification, in plan view, of

L\l v invention relates to improvements in my invention for adjustingand holding the automobile head-lightd-innners. collapsible dimmer-ringsin their adjusted The object of my invention is to provide l'io'sition';the rings being shown in their Cola collapsible dinnner adapted to beheld in lapsed pos tion. i

position. within thehead-light adj-agent the- Fig. (1, is a similar Viewthereof with the 76. elcrtrie light-globe, by means of the electriccollapsible dimmer-rings fully extended. light-globe and a. resilientcoiled lmlder. Fig. 7, in a front elevation of the base and A furtherobject of theinvention is to resilient dimmer-rir ig guide-arms. provideresilient means for normally holdtet'errirg to the --.u:companyingdrawing,

21; ing the. dimmer in acollapsed position. the ret'ere ire character 1designates an or- 75 A further object oi the invention is todilrary'automobile head-light ithe reflector, provide suitable means foradjusting; the 3 the electric light-globe, and t the electriccollapsiblcdimmer to any desired position, socket, inrlnd'ing positionsintermediate its extreme in carrying out the aim of my invention. 25r-losed or open position to permit the de- I employ a collapsiblediinmer consisting'ot 80 "sired rays-of light from therlectric lightaplurality of tapered concentrically arglobe to be reflected by means ofthe reranged preferably aluminum rings 5, U, 7, I Hector. if any. S, and9. The rings eachbeing tapered and A further object of the invention isto a each slightly larger in diameter than the 33 provide means todestroy all rays of refieeother, they form a din nier which can be very85 tion if desired, easily, and readily to lapsed.

\ .A Qstill further object of the invention is King t. is preferablyprovided with the y to provide a collapsible dnnmer wh ch will out-erroled,edge 10. I p be neat.*sim le. and cmmmratively mexpen- 'Thesmallest ring designated 5 is suitably 5 site in ronstrlu'tion, easilyinstalled in auto Serured to a base plate 11. The base plate 90 mobilell(:l(l-llfJ,'lltH, and a dnnmen-which 11 is preterablv provided with acent "a1.

will lie highly ellirient in its results. opening 1-) adapted toregister with the \Vnth the above and other oluects in view opening ofring Vhlle the light rays as will be apparent as the description prolnayslnie upon the reflector. through the 40 ceeds. .the invention consistsin certain new opening, 12, it will not reflect strong or 95 and novelronstruetions; combinations and bright rays owing to the ii'zac't'thatthe eleC- arrangements of parts that lshall hereintrielight globe 3interferes"therewith, as is after fully describe and finally point outin manifest. Vhere I. find it desirable not to the claims heretoappended. make the opening 12 aslarge as the small j 1 Referring to thezu't'ompanying drawing end of ring 5. I only make it largeenou h, 10forming a part ofthisspecification wherein to let the socket l passtherethrougln ;T1 .like characters of reference denote similar small rng 5 where it is desirablen ay be parts throughout the. several views:provide with a partial .bottom with an Figure 1, is a arrt-icalsectional View of opening the same size in diameter-as o'pen- 3 .2m eleitric lighted automobile head-light"""iing l2. r .7 p1 'idedf'vv th myaollapsible dimmer in an "he base plate-"11 is provided with a pair," weended position perniittiug'jno light rays 70f" opposed,- preferablyintegral, substanfrom the electric-globe to be reflected by the tially'U-shaped in cross'se'c'tion, forwardly I reflector. extending arms .13.These arms 13 extend Fig.2, is a plan .view of my dimmer-in for air 1' adistance a littlegi'eater than the 11 merely pulls the rolled edge 10 ofrii'r 9 when in its open or extreme extends-(f position, as clearlyshown in Fig. 1, of the drawing.

A suitable roller 14 is rotatably carried by the arms 13 near their freeends, and a,

roller 15 is rotatably carried by each arm near the base-plate 11.

A pair of suitable opposed cords 16 are secured to the edge of ring 9.These cords l(' are adapted to pass over the rollers 14 and" The plug 18may be actuated, if desired, by oonnectlng a suitable .Wire theretowhich is concealed in a suitable flexible-tube, which tube-may be run tothe dash of the car. This arrangement obviates the necessity of gettingoutof the car to adjust the dimmer when adjusting is desired. 1

A-suitable coiled spring 24 or its equivalent is employed to encirclethe collapsible dimmer, as clearly shown in the drawing. One end of thes ring'24 is preferably withge 10 of ring 9, although the'spring to'theif desired. The spring 24 is suitlate 11. The

in the rolled e other means of fastenin ring 9 may be employed oppositeend of the coiled a y secured to the base spring 24, it will be observkeep the rings in a collapsed position, as clearl shown in 2,iowing-tothe fact that t e spring is "fastened at one end to the stationary hase'plate 1-1 and at its opposite emlll to the collapsible outer-or and'ring'9.

mg rality of suitable wire-fingers 25 adapted to extend in'wardiy and pe the forward edge of each 0 the rings l, and 6 during the collapsingoperation of the dimmer so that all rings will, be ositively collapsedand held from. orward after being colla sed.

Wien it is desiredto dim the lights by preventing ffleoti'on thereof, asshown in Fig. 1, of' he-:-d' awiin the operator ob bac to the'positionshown in F '51. "a rings comprising the dimmer throgghjthisqperationwill be extended to their extreme open position thus dimming thelightjentirel as 1s manifest,

as no rays of the light ar a ,allowed to shine,

, will normally 9 is furthrprovidcd with a plu When the reflection ofthe light is only to be partially dimmed, the operator turns the,

stud 22 into the desired notch 21 along the side edge of the slottedopening 20 of the tubular'member 19. This arrangement of adjusting ringsand holding them in their ad usted position enables the operator tosecure any desired amount oi reflection desired.

W'hen'it is desired to cntirelv collapse the dimmer, the operator merelyreleases the stud 22 from its retaining notch 21 and the spring 24 willcause the rings to collapse into one another, as is manifest.

It will be remembered that my improved dimmer positively removes allpossible reflection and flicker of the head-lights when the dimmer isadjusted into its extreme openor extended position.

It will also be remembered that the reflection or brightness of thehead-lights may be regulated toany desired brightness by adjusting thedimmer-rings into any desired extended position. q

-To assist in supporting of the dimmer proper in position, I preferablyemploy a narrow collar 26 having the connecting arms 27. These arms 27are adapted to be connected with the base 11, as clearly shown in Fig.'3.. The collar 26 is adapted to be arranged centrally with' relation tothe opening 12 of base 11. The collar 26 is further adapted to slip overthe socket 4 and be supgortedthereby to assist in centralizing the.

preferably adapted to receive the adjacent coil 32. This arrangement, itwill be observed permits the coil 30 to be decreased or increased indiameter'by sliding the coil 32 through the loop 31 to a position toproperly gt or engage the globe 8 employed, as man:-

The spring supporti .lgllfiber 28, it will be observed owing to i t l're'siliency also ermits the lamp 8 to be properl focus to give thedesired results as to ight-rays or reflection.

The spring 'su porting meniber28 also assists in proper y su porting thedimmer in ]position as the pa 38 of the base 11 is yie di mcnt with thereflector 2 by means of t globe 8 oompressin QIJB manifest. e pad 83- ispreferably employed-to prevent any scratching of ugly and frietionallyheld in engag'fthe-Ipni'iginember'28,

reflector by the base ll. The pad 33 is not absolutely necessaryhowever, but pretmcr is of the enre character. B-ldkasignates a pair ofop- -or springy material, and especially fiat posed resilient, forwardlyextending-arms.

- hese arms may be either integral with the base 11 or suitably securedthereto by any well known. fastening means. 1 Each ofthe resilientsupporting arms is provided at suitable intervals along its inner facewith a plurality of .de iresslons or notches35 into which is adapte toseat the rolled-edge 10 of the outer dimmer-r ng 9,- for normallyholding the rings in their ad -justed position, especially the outerring 9,

as is manifest. L i

The arms 34 being formed from resilient stock they naturally have atendency to yield inwardly thereby holding the notches 35 fricti'onallyin contact or engage. with the rolled-edge 10 of the outer dimmer-ring9.

The forward extremities of the arms 34- are each preferablyprovided withthe outwardly bent lip or finger-piece 36, to permit the operator toeasily and readily spread the arms 34 when re-adjus'ting thedimmcr-q rngs. a i It will be readily seen that thefino'di fied form of myinvention will produce tl1e same results as the, form shown'in FigsLand?! of the drawing. The only difierenc being inxthe means. foradjusting the dimmer-rings and holding them in their adjusted position.The one stylmmay be adjusted from, the

dash Of'thG car,' orfrom' the outside of the lump-casing, while themodified form of my invention necessitates the lamp-doors being openedto" adjustthe dimmer-rings. I am aware that theremay be Various 1 slightchan esniade inythe construction of my collap'si 1e dimmer andin theexact a-r-:

rangements' and combinations of" parts,

henceI-do not wishto'confine myself to the exact constructions andarrangements of parts shown and descnibed',-but-reserve the such changesas may e scope and spiritof lhy immer'. The manyhdyantagesi of theherein ,d scribed collapsible dimmer will readily sag: gestthernselvesto those skilled in theart' to which the inventionre'lates. a

right to1mske'a-n fairly fall within ti What I claim is: Y I p l. in anaulomohllc head-light dnnmcr. the combination uh an UliltllU-llfllllgiluln:

and a reflector. of a tubular collapsible din;

mcl' and resilient means engaging said globe and said dim'mer forholding the dnnmer in position against the reflector. Y

.2. In an autonobile head-light dimme z' the combination ith anelectric-light globe and a reiiertoljof a tubular collapsible di1n-' mcrmounted to .-.urround the rear portion of the globe when in a collapsedpositiommesilient means for holding the dimmer against the reflector andin position around 1 the electric-light globe and means forqretuiningsaid dimmer in any desired extend.- ed position arount. theelectric-light globe.,,

In an automobile head-light dimmer,

the combination with an electriclightglobe and a reflector. of acollapsible tubular dimmer, means for supporting said -dinuner aroundthe electric-light -globe either inexte'nded or collapse d position andin engages ment with the rcfector :uljarent therear oi the electriclightglobe. means for opening said dimmer into any desiredextendedpositionaround theelectric-light globe. means for holding said dimmer in anydesired cx lended position around the globe and means having a centralopening, an inner tapered ring secured to haid base; said r,ing'being'adapted to be engaged-in the elmrtrir-light globe for holding the basein engagement with-the reflector for..l, ohli ng the dimmer-in position,an outer tapered ring. and aphirality of intermediatetapered rings:said" outer ring and said inlerlnrdiate tapered rings being capable ofbeing'colhq'ised .orrr the inner ring and adapted when in annex tendedposition to retain said e'x'tei'i si'tion until collapsed.

6. In anyauton'iobile head light.dinimer, the combination with anelectric-light globe and a reflector; of a collapsible cupfshai'edmetallic body capable of being extende any-desired open position topermit any tie for holding said body in a position" theielectric-lightglobeund in contact with theireflecto'r adjacent the rear portion of theded 'pothe combination with an electric-light globe: 13.0

tapered inuer'ring secured to said base, a

trier, and a resilient yie .pleans adapted toengagethe electriclightglobe and be compressed thereby for yieldplurality of tapered ringscollapsible around said inner ring. a resilient means encircling saidrings secured at one end to said base and at the opposite end to theouterming said resilient means being adapted to no W lnally hold therings in a collapsed posit-ion. means to prevent the forward movement ofany of the intermediate rings while in a collapsed state, av pair ofopposed arms extendin}; forward from said base, a pair of rollersrotatably mounted in each .arm. a cord adapted to pass over the rollersof each awn and connected at one end to the outer ping. rin adjustingmeans to which the opposite en of each cord is connected, and means forholding said ring adjusting means in any desired adjusted position.

8. An automobile headlight dimmer comprising a tubular collapsible bodyconsisting: of a plurality of rings adapted to be held either in acollapsed or an extended position around an electric-light globe.

9. An automobile h ad-light dimn'ier conr prising a base having acentral opening. aninner tapered rin g secured to said base. anouterta'pered ring: ofgreater diameter than said inner ring. and aplurality of intermediate tapered rings; said outer ring andintermediate rings being capable throi'igh frictional contact with eachother when in an extended position to retain said extended positionuntil collapsed.

10. An automobile head-light dimmer COIIIPI'lSlDg a base having acentral opening, a pair of forwardly extending arms connected to saidbase, a. pair of rollers rotatably mounted upon each arm, an innertapered ring secured to saidbase, an outer tapered ring ofgreaterdiameter than said inner ring, a plurality of intermediatetapered rings, a coiled spring encircling said rings and secured at-oneend to said base and atits opposite end to 'said outer ring for'normallyholding the outer ring and in termediate rings in a collapsed position,manually operated means connectedat one end to s'aid onterring andadapted to work over the aforesaid rollers of each arm for opening saidouter rim, and inter mediate rings to any desired extended position, andmeans for holdingsaid dimmer in position around an electric head-lightglobe. 11. In an automobile head-light. dimmer, the combination with anelectric light-globe, electric socket and reflector, of a' collapsibledimmer, means-adapted to engage the electric-socket: for partiallysupportingthe diming suppolting .mgly su porting the dini'mer inposition -orgund t is electric light-globe.

12. An automobile hcad-lightdimmer comprising a base ha\in a centralopenii'ig a looped supporting member adapted to span said centralopening, an inner dinnner ring secured to said base. a plurality ofcollapsible dimmer-rings. means for collapsing saidcollapsibldimmer-rings. means for opening said ellllapsible dimmer-ringsto any desired extended position, and a resilient -dimmer su i 'iortingi'neans arranged within said inner dimme- .ring.

13. In an automobile headlight dimmer. the combination with anelectric-light. globe and a'rcfhu-tor. of collapsible means tointerccptthe ra \'s ol light to the relleetor comprising a n-rl'oratedbase and a plurality of collapsible rings. yieldablc sup 'iorting meansand yieldable retaining: means.

l-l. In an automobile headlight dimmer. the combination with anclectrioli g'ht globe and a reflector. ol' collapsible means tointercept the rays of light to the rcllertor, :"Ulllprisin; a perforatedbase and a plur. of collapsible rings and \ieldable supporting means forbidding said collapsible llicults in either an extended or a collapsedosition around the electric-light globe.

15. In an automobile headlight dinnner. the combination withanelectric-slight globe and a reflector, of tubular non-translucentcollapsible means to intercept the rays of light to the. reflectorcomprising a perfo-rated base and a plurality of collapsible rings andyiehlable supporting means for holding the dimmer in position around thesource of light and to permit focusing of the head-light withoutdisturbing the position of the dimmer.

16. An automobile heaublight dimmer comprising: a ase baring a entralopening.

I a fixed (lll-llllllllt! means. collapsible dimming" means, yielding:supportins means. and re silient retaining n ans for holdinti the col.-lapsible dimming means in various adjusted positions.

17. An tll'ltfilllfiblle comprising a supporting head-; li *ht dimmer 2base. a fixed dn n-.

mar-ring secured thereto, and a plurality of source of; ght in saidlamp.

- .QOHAn .autoin'obile head light dimmer compriing'a tubularcollepsible'body, yield,

able fstipporting means: and means adapted dimmer yielding An automobilehead-lightdimmer in collapsible relation with the justedpositionsyarouuda source of light to regulate the glare therefrom.

tohold said collapsible. body in various interceptthe rays of lightto areflector o 21. An automobile head-light dimmer comprising a collapsiblebody consisting of a stationary inner ring,'and a plurality ofcollapsible rings.

holding one end of the body in contact with tended position.

22. In combination 'with an electric lamp socket, electric-light globeand 'a reflector, of a supporting base, a plurality of collapsibleencircling rings adapted to be to dim the qlare't'rom said reflector byinterceptin the rays of lightto-the reflector and yield able supportingmeans ther'etor.

The combination with an electric lamp socket, electricdight globe and areflector, of a collapsible tapered body consisting of a plurality ofring-like members and yieldable supporting means for supportingsaidaround the electric-light globe and the reflector adjacent the rearportion of the electric-light globe.

- 24. An automobile head-light dimmer comprising a base having a centralopening, a sup )orting collar spanning said opening, a pa secured tosaid base, a dimmer-wing fixed to .said base, a plurality of collapsibledimmer-rings, means for yieldingly holding said dimmer in position, andresilient means for normally holding said collapsible dimmer-rings in acollapsed orpany desired ex- 25. A head-light dimmercomprising aperforated stationary base and a plurality of; ring elementsconstituting a collapsible body adapted vfor adjustment around asource'of light.

26. A head-light dimmercomprising a, perforated base, an adjustablecollapsible body consisting of a plurality of ring elements and meansfor merits in any desired extended position around a source of light.

27. 'A headlight dimmer comprising a perforated-base, a plurality ofcollapsible ring-like members, means for holding said ring-like membersin an adjusted position with relation to a source of light and yieldablesupporting means for holding the dimsource of-light.

adjusted holding said ring ele- .28. The combination with an electrichead-light having a 1: arabolie reflector and an electric light globt.ot' a collapsible c'up shaped body having an open outer end and aperforated base, though which perforated base the rays oi light fromsaid electric light globe are adapted to pass to be reflected. andelastic means interposed between said base and the electric light globefor supporting said (ollapsible cup shaped body in position around thelight globe and said perforated base against the reflector.

'29. In combination with an electric head I light having a reflector anda source of light, of a cup-slraped bod; having a perforated basethrough which the rays of light are adapted to pass to be reflected, anda spring interposed between slid-base and the source of light forholding said body around the source of light to interceptthe light raysto the reflector, excepting those light rays directed to that portion ofthe reflector direotly-to the rear of the source of light.

v30. An electric head-light dimmer com- 'prising a tapered cylindricalbody consisting of a series of overlapping rings, the smaller end of thebody being perforated to permit the light-rays from a source of light topass through the smaller end of the body to be retleotedf i 31. Incombination withan. light, for "auton'iobiles, having a reflector and asource of light, of a cylindrical ttflescopic body'having an entirelyopen end and a perforated en :1, and an elastic means interposed betweensaid source of light and the perforated! end of said telescopic body foryieldingly supporting said telescopic body in position around the sourceof light to intercept the rays of light to the reflector, exceptingthose rays: of light adapted to be reflected through tle open end of thetelescopic bode directly from the rear of the source 0 light." f

fIn testimony whereof I hereunto attix my signature in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

{FREDERICK-H. MIGHELSON.

electric head-

